A lot of care is needed to ensure that snakes are healthy and happy.If you have recently gotten a pet snake, you may be wondering how to take care of it.Set up a habitat for the snake.You should learn how to feed and hold it.You just need to make sure the snake stays healthy by doing things like cleaning its cage and watching when it sheds its skin.
Step 1: The snake will like the terrarium.
A glass enclosure is used for snakes.It looks like a fish tank.Make sure it is made for holding snakes as they are very good escape artists and will likely escape without a secure lid.Depending on the breed of snake you get, you may need to purchase a long or tall terrarium.If you have a large snake, the terrarium may need to be larger.If you get a large boa constrictor, you may need a wide, 40 gallon terrarium.You may only need a 20 gallon tank if you get a small arboreal snake.The tank should be taller than it is wide.This will allow for climbing branches for the snake.Only one snake can be kept in each terrarium.Each snake that you own needs to be housed separately.
Step 2: Purchase a hidey home.
Providing a hiding place for your snake may help keep it healthy, as snakes like to crawl into dark enclosed spaces to feel secure.You can buy a hidey home at a pet store and put it in a terrarium for your snake.The hiding place should be large enough for the snake to get into, but small enough to be snug.Hidey homes can be shaped like rocks or logs.A clean cat litter box or an opaque plastic container can be used as a hiding place for your snake.Cut a hole in the container that is large enough for the snake to go through and then press the upside down container into the terrarium.
Step 3: Substrate materials should be used to line the bottom of the terrarium.
Substrate lines the bottom of your snake's terrarium.The material soaks up urine and feces so that it isn't just sitting at the bottom of the terrarium.Most pet stores make materials specifically for snakes.Line the bottom of the terrarium with shredded newspaper.It's important that the materials you use don't contain timber treatments or volatile oils, which are toxic to snakes.A reptile carpet can be purchased at the bottom of the terrarium.Don't use cat litter, sand, or dirt.Do you know what type of material is best for your snake?
Step 4: Climb the branches and get some rocks.
Snakes need to be able to climb.These behaviors are necessary to keep your snake happy and healthy.In most pet stores, you can buy climbing branches and basking rocks for your snake.A ground dwelling snake needs multiple basking rocks and a climbing branch, while a snake that is known for climbing, such as a corn or milk snake, will need multiple climbing branches.If you introduce rocks or branches from outside, make sure they are clean.You will need to wash the rocks with warm water and then boil them for 30 minutes.After rinsing them with warm water, place them in the oven for 30 minutes.
Step 5: The heat lamp should be set up.
All snakes need at least one heat lamp to stay warm.Most pet stores have reptile heating lamps and other devices that can be attached to a terrarium or placed inside it.The higher the wattage, the more heat the bulb will give out.You can either need a few for a large terrarium or just a small one.Special heating pads can be purchased to help keep your snake warm at the bottom of the enclosure.If your snake comes into contact with a heating device, it can cause serious burns.
Step 6: You can keep track of heat and humidity with a hydrometer.
You can find out what the optimal conditions are for your snake by looking at the heat and humidity requirements.The thermostat in your home isn't enough to determine if it's warm enough for your snake.To make sure the conditions are optimal for the snake, you will need a hydrometer and a thermometer.If the temperature is too low, you may need a heating lamp or a higher watt bulb.If the enclosure isn't humid enough, you can either put a wet towel in the cage or remove some of the water from the terrarium to increase the humidity.It's a good idea to keep one end of the terrarium cooler than the other.If it's too hot or cold, you can move your snake to a different area.
Step 7: There are prey items in a freezer.
While snakes in the wild need to hunt their prey, many pet snakes are willing to eat mice and rats that are already dead.You can buy dead mice and rats in pet stores that are called "prey items." Keep a dozen of these in a freezer to feed your snake.It's best not to put the items in the same freezer as your own food.If you only keep food for your snake, you may want to consider purchasing a small freezer.Do you know what kind of food is best for your snake?
Step 8: Feed a young or small snake more often than a mature one.
Smaller or younger snakes need to eat twice a week, while larger or older snakes only eat once every 3 weeks.As breeding season approaches, a female snake may need to eat more.Make sure to check with your doctor if you don't know how often to feed your snake.The behavior of your snake is a good indicator of how often to feed it.If your snake ignores the food you give it, it might not be hungry yet.It might need to be fed more often if it devours the food as soon as you feed it.
Step 9: If your snake doesn't want to eat, put the item in its mouth.
Sometimes a pet snake will refuse to eat certain items.If your snake ignores the food, try wiggling it in front of its face.This may be enough to get your snake to eat the food.
Step 10: While your snake is eating, cover the tank.
If the snake doesn't like the food first, covering the terrarium with a cloth may help.Place a dark cloth over the terrarium and leave the snake alone for about 30 to 60 minutes.
Step 11: If your snake rejects dead prey, provide live prey.
You may need to purchase live prey for the snake if it won't eat it.You can buy rats and mice in pet stores that are bred to be fed to snakes.You have to watch the snake to make sure it catches and eats its prey.If there is a chance that the rat panicked and attacked the snake, this can seriously hurt your pet snake.
Step 12: Keep your snake's water dish clean.
The snake should always have access to fresh, clean water in a ceramic dish.Check the water daily to make sure there are no particles in the dish.
Step 13: The snake needs to eat 4 meals in its new home to be held.
Before you hold the snake for the first time, you need to feed it.This will help to make the snake feel at home.
Step 14: Hold the snake while it digests it's food.
You can see a bulge in the snake's body as it digests its food.When handling a snake it is advisable to hold it until the bulge is no longer visible.
Step 15: You can support the snake with your hands.
Don't hold a snake by its head or tail.The middle 1/3 of a snake's body is the ideal place to hold it.This will make it easier for you to hold the snake.
Step 16: Get a snake hook.
It may be easier to get your snake out of its enclosure if you have a snake hook.Snake hooks can be used to prevent your snake from mistaking your hand for food.By using a snake hook a lot, it will learn that it's time to handle the snake.If you want to use the hook, first slide it under the snake's body, and then gently lift it up and out of its enclosure.When you have a secure hold on the snake, place your hand under its belly and put the hook down.
Step 17: When your snake sheds its skin, pay attention.
Even an adult snake will still shed once every 3-6 months, even when it's young.Pay attention to the time when your snake sheds its skin.If it hasn't shed in a while, you may need to take it to the vet to make sure everything is okay.
Step 18: Keep the snake's habitat clean.
It is a good idea to spot clean your snake's terrarium at least once a week.Pick up small messes and change out your snake's water when you do a daily spot cleaning.All of the items in the cage should be wiped clean when you do a full cleaning.When cleaning the enclosure, wear gloves and goggles and wash your hands thoroughly after using the cleaning tools.Cleaning brushes, buckets, snake-safe cleanser, paper towels, cotton swabs, a sand sifter, dish washing detergent, and sponges are important cleaning items to have on hand.When you clean the snake's enclosure, you will need a backup terrarium.
Step 19: If you have health concerns, take the snake to a doctor.
To make sure that your snake is healthy and that you know how to care for it, you may want to get an initial veterinary checkup.If you're ever worried that your snake might be sick, the best thing to do is take it to the vet.There are some signs that your snake might be sick.Not eating for a while.There is a pink hue on its underside.Instead of coiling up when you touch it, stay limp.Not all of it.Having sunken eyes.